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This is an archive article published on November 22, 2023

Beant Singh assassination convict Jagtar Singh Hawara acquitted in 2005 case

Kamaljit Singh alias Mann, a co-accused in the case, was convicted in 2008 in a special trial.

Jagtar Singh HawaraHawara appealed against the order at the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which commuted his sentence to life imprisonment till death. (File photo)
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The Additional District and Sessions Court of Chandigarh on Wednesday acquitted Jagtar Singh Hawara, one of the assassins of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh, in a 2005 case filed under IPC charges including waging war against the Government of India and under the Arms Act and the Explosives Act.

The FIR was registered on July 16, 200, after Hawara and co-accused including Kamaljit Singh alias Mann were alleged to have decided to do illegal acts so as to wage war against the Government of India, create Khalistan and revive terrorism in the country. It was also alleged that arms and ammunition and explosive substances such as RDX were recovered from the accused people. Kamaljit Singh alias Mann was convicted in the case in 2008 in a special trial.

Hawara’s counsel, AS Chahal and DS Jandiala, argued that he was falsely implicated in the case.

The additional district and sessions court, which acquitted Hawara, is yet to release the detailed order.

Beant Singh was killed in a bomb blast outside the Punjab and Haryana secretariat on August 31, 1995. The blast killed 17 others including Punjab police constable Dilawar Singh, who acted as a human bomb.

Among the convicts in the case, Hawara and Balwant Singh Rajoana were sentenced to death. However, Hawara appealed against the order at the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which commuted his sentence to life imprisonment till death. He is lodged at Mandoli Jail in New Delhi.

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. He is a veteran reporter with over a decade of experience, specializing in legal, crime, and environmental reporting across the tri-city area (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula). Professional Background Core Beat: He primarily covers the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Courts, CBI Courts, and Consumer Commissions. His legal reporting is known for breaking down complex judgments and tracking long-standing criminal cases. Environmental Reporting: Jagpreet has become a key voice in reporting on the deteriorating air quality and weather patterns in the Punjab-Haryana region. Crime & Technology: He frequently reports on cybercrime, digital arrest scams, and the intersection of technology and law enforcement, such as the development of citizen-centric policing apps. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His late 2025 coverage has focused on significant judicial verdicts, major financial scams, and public health concerns: 1. Legal & CBI Court Verdicts "12 years on, CBI court acquits Haryana judge, parents in wife’s death case" (Dec 17, 2025): Detailed coverage of the acquittal of a judicial officer in a high-profile dowry death case from 2013. "‘Wicked & evil mind’: Court gives man 30-year term for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old" (Dec 16, 2025): A report on a stern judgment from a Chandigarh district court in a POCSO case. "Man acquitted in rape case after victim found ‘very happy’ in wedding reception" (Dec 9, 2025): Covering a unique legal observation regarding consensual relationships and age verification. 2. Investigative & Scams "CBI registers FIR in Rs 1.14-cr Patient Welfare Grant scam at PGIMER" (Dec 19, 2025): An exposé on how funds meant for poor patients were siphoned off through forged documents and a photocopy shop inside the PGIMER campus. "Month-long torture, Rs 85 lakh transfers: How ‘Innocence Certificate’ led to a ‘digital arrest’ of an elderly couple" (Dec 12, 2025): Detailing a sophisticated cyber fraud targeting senior citizens in Chandigarh. 3. Environment & Public Safety "Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the sudden spike in pollution levels in Panchkula compared to neighbouring cities. "Soon, you can snap that overspeeding car, and report to Chandigarh Police" (Dec 16, 2025): Breaking news on a new mobile application being developed to allow citizens to report traffic violations via geo-tagged photos. 4. Gangster Culture & Crime "City Beautiful in the crosshairs of gangsters" (Dec 14, 2025): A feature analysis of how Chandigarh has increasingly become a staging ground for extortion and rivalries between gangster modules. "Shooters wanted for Parry murder held by Delhi Police Special Cell" (Dec 18, 2025): Following the developments in a high-profile murder case in Chandigarh’s Sector 26. Signature Style Jagpreet is recognized for his tenacious follow-up on cold cases and his ability to report on courtroom drama with a focus on victim rights. His work often highlights administrative lapses, whether in the handling of patient welfare funds or the enforcement of environmental standards. ... Read More

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